The One (and Only) Beauty Product You Could Never Live Without...

What would it be?

By

|Dec. 4, 2015

Exfoliating Body Scrub

“Give me a body scrub or give me death. A $5 vat of St. Ives can be used on your elbows, your feet, your face, your armpits. It's magical...and could sorta sneak by as soap.” --Susan Waits, Senior Editor

Mascara

“I have dark, beady little eyes, and a swipe of black mascara does wonders to make them look bigger and brighter. In a perfect world, you also let me have eyeliner and maybe a hint of eyeshadow. But beggars can't be choosers.” --Jillian Quint, Executive Editor

Self-Tanner

“Feeling pale during winter is the worst, which is why I love my Laura Mercier Tinted moisturizer. It makes your skin super soft while adding a bit of subtle color. Plus, it's easy to blend and it doesn't stain the skin like Jergens does (which my colleagues have banned me from using forever).” --Hannah Loewentheil, Editorial Assistant

Red Lipstick

Concealer

“I am nothing without concealer. Well, I'm still me, just splotchier. I use it to even out skin tone, cover up blemishes (thanks, adult acne), brighten dark under-eye circles and even as a base for eyeshadow and/or lipstick. And the product that helps me do it all is Chanel Correcteur Perfection Long Lasting Concealer.” --Lauren Gniazdowski, Managing Editor

Deodorant Cream

“I have no idea how Soapwalla's deodorant cream works, but since I started using it, I haven't had one worry about sweating or smelling gross--not even after the gym or on a 90-degree day. I had a full-on panic attack when I went home for Thanksgiving this year and forgot it. It's aluminum-free, made out of clay and essential oils, and it's food grade, so apparently you can eat it. I have six jars stockpiled in my closet right now.” --Lindsay Champion, New York Editor

Makeup in a Stick

“Forget eight hours of sleep or eight glasses of water: Never have I ever survived a day of my grown-up life without my NARS The Multiple in Copacabana. This genius multitasking stick glides on super creamy like a giant crayon and has a tiny kiss of shimmer, perfect for cheeks, lids and lips. Dewy youth, faked forever.” --Sara Little, Editor

Detangling Spray

"I have very thick yet fine hair so a good detangler is a huge time-saver. Aveda Brilliant Damage Control also protects against sun damage and smells so damn good, it could double as perfume." --Roberta Fiorito, Editorial Assistant

Something With Salicylic Acid

“What do Adam Levine and I have in common? Among other things, an undying love and appreciation for Proactiv. (No shame in my game.) Is it the fanciest stuff on the market? Nope. Does it get the job done? According to Adam, Katy Perry and yours truly, absolutely.” --Sarah Stiefvater, Associate Editor

Lip Balm

“You can kiss flaky lips goodbye with this miracle product from BeautyCounter. Seriously, I have never found a lip balm so nourishing, so light, so great. I put a dab on under my lip color usually, but this silky gloss can stand all on its own. I wear it year-round.” --Rachel Bowie, Editor

Tinted Moisturizer

“This one's a bit of a newfound love affair, but I can't imagine my life pre-BareMineral's Complexion Rescue. It gives my skin subtle coverage, keeps it insanely hydrated and blends so well that I never have to worry about those dreaded jaw lines. I love it so much I even wrote an ode to it.” --Angela Cuneo, Senior Editor

A Lightweight Serum

"If you could promise me only one product, it would need to be something to take care of my skin. So that would be a new product I got my hands on called Genaissance Serum Essence by La Mer. It's basically the gold standard of skin care--umm, $620 per ounce, anyone? But honestly just a few drops massaged in the way French ladies do with their skin (swirl and lift, swirl and lift) shows more glowing, firmer skin in like two weeks." --Dana Dickey, L.A. Editor

Pop quiz, hot shot: If you were forced to use one and only one beauty product for the rest of your life, what would it be? We bounced the question around at the PureWow HQ offices the other day and figured it'd be fun to pose it to the group. What's yours? Skincare or makeup? Utility or beauty? Read on for 12 of our editors' thoughts.